Tuesday, January 22, 2013

NKOTB, 98 Degrees, Boys II Men coming to arena

New Kids on the Block announced this morning on "The View" that the veteran boy band will launch "The Package" summer headlining tour following the April 2 release of its new album "10." The tour stops at Time Warner Cable Arena June 19. What's more the tour includes special guests 98 Degrees - on its first tour in 12 years - and Grammy winners Boyz II Men. All three groups performed a cappella on "The View."

Tickets for the June 19 concert go on sale February 2 at www.timewarnercablearena.com, www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, Walmart stores, and the arena box office. You can also call 1-800-745-3000. American Express cardholders can purchase presale tickets starting Friday, January 25.

After splitting in 1994, NKOTB reformed in 2008 to much fanfare. It performed at TWC Arena with a little known Lady Gaga as its opening act in October 2008.

Fellow boy band 98 Degrees may not be quite the household name NKOTB is, but the multi-platinum selling group includes actor/reality star Nick Lachey and his "Dancing with the Stars'" Season 2 champ brother Drew Lachey (I'm hoping the group will include Nick's solo hit "What Left of Me" in its set). The group had its share of hit singles between 1997 and 2001.

Boyz II Men, who have visited Charlotte on occasion in recent years, is the most commercially successful R&B group of all time. The vocal quartet scored a string of number one ballads in the `90s - some of which set records for length of time at No. 1. It also collected four Grammy awards. It now tours as a trio.